Ski pants



Jan. 10, 1961 G. E. FREESE, JR

SKI PANTS Filed March 21, 1958 6 INVENTOR j Geov e E veese? BY A Jfir W ATTORNEYS United States Pate-nt O SKI PANTS George E. Freese, Jr., Pittsfield, N.H., assignor to Globe Manufacturing Company, Pittsfield, N.H.

Filed Mar. 21, 1958, Ser. No. 722,942

2 claims. (Cl. 2-270) i The invention relates to ski pants, and more particularly to the closing of the bottom leg opening of such pants.

The usual practice is to close the bottom leg opening of ski pants around the angles and shoes of the wearer, after the pants have been put on, by a downwardly moving zipper or slide fastener which closes a slit in the lower end of the leg. This construction is not entirely Satisfactory, since it is not entirely snow and wind proof. In addition, zippers are relatively expensive and are likely to get out of order.

The primary object of the present invention is to pro vide an improved closure Construction for the bottom ot the legs of ski pants.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a structure which is more effective in keeping out snow and wind than those presently in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a Construction which is inexpensive and economical, while yet being sturdy and durable.

In general, the invention contemplates the insertion, within the leg slit, of a triangular placket of water-re pellant, wnd-resistant fabric (such as the outer fabric of the ski pants themselves), this fabric being however of a single thickness and not interlined and insulated. This placket is located to the rear of the strap which passes under the foot of the wearer, and on the outside of the leg. A snap fastener arrangement is provided for holding the placket closed, the parts of the snap fastener being secured to the placket material rather than to the body of the leg.

Further advantages and objects of the invention will appear more fully from the following description, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows in side elevation a pair of ski pants embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the lower part of Fig. l with the leg opened; and

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

As shown, the ski pants include a waist portion 2 and leg portions 4. These are formed of an outer wall 6 of a water-repellant and wnd-resistant fabric, an inner Z,967,308 Patented Jan. 10, 1961 wall 8 of a soft fab'ic and a filling and insulating material 10 between the two walls.

Across the bottom opening of each leg is secured a strip 12 of elastic material for fitting under the foot of the wearer. Back of this strap, on the outer side of the leg, an upward opening slit is formed having edges 14. A triangular piece 16 of suitable wind-proof material, preferably the same material as outer facing 6, is secured in the slit. Male and female snap fastener members 18, 20 respectively are secured to the lower corners of piece 16.

When the snap fastener is open, the leg is expanded as shown in Fig. 2, and the foot can be inserted through it. Fig. 3 shows the construction in closed position in which it will fit snugly around the ankle, the snap fastener being secured and piece 16 folded upon itself. Even in this position, however, piece 16 serves as a closure to prevent access of moisture and air to the inside of the pants leg.

The structure is very efiective even though it is inexpensive and economical. By reason of the fact that the snap fastener parts are carried by the single thickness material 16, they can be readily replaced if necessary without the necessity of working between the layers of the main leg structure. I

While I have described herein one embodment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereby except within the scope of the claims hereto or hereinafter appended.

I claim: e

1. In ski pants, a leg formed of a multilayer, insulated fabric having an upwardly opening slit in its lower end, a triangular piece of single-layer material secured in said slit with its base across the lower end of the leg, and snap fasteners carried by said piece at the opposed lower corners thereof for securing said corners together to hold said leg snugly around the ankle of the wearer, said piece being of a water-repellant, wind-resistant material.

2. In a structure as claimed in claim l, a strap secured across the bottom of the leg opening, said slit being located on the outside of the leg rearwardly of said strap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,626,136 Hart Apr. 26, 1927 1,709,508 Weiner et al Apr. 16, 1929 1,753,657 Kaplan Apr. 8, 1930 1,885,527 Luft Nov. 1, 1932 2,087,045 Roberts et al July 13, 1937 2,187,447 Chait et al Jan. 16, 1940 2,283,362 Hamilton May 19, 1942 2,317,7 68 Holland et ai Apr. 27, 1943 2,867,817 Kaye Jan. 13, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 667,l73 Germany Nov. 5, 1938 616,'395 Great Britain Ian. 20, 1949 

